James Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, Boy Names Like James

James Name Origin: English
Pronunciation: jaymz
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James Name Meaning

A name that has stood strong through the ages, men with the name of James have been a fixture on stage, screen and literature. Authors such as like Joyce, Baldwin and Jones have left their mark on the literary world with the first name of James. Actors like Dean, Caan, Franco and Garner have given us iconic roles and characters in a wide range of movies. The name has been a strong, constant monicker for artists and more for decades.

But the name has a richer history than only Hollywood. James is a modern descendant of Iacomus, the Latin form of the Hebrew name Jacob. Two of the twelve apostles in the Bible had the name of James. Kings of England, Scotland and Spain and six U.S. Presidents have all bore the name as well, giving it a regal flair as well as a religious one.

James has numerous shortened versions, giving parents a wide variety of nicknames for their boy, including Jimmy, Jim, Jamie or Jimbo. Different variations of the name include Jaime (Spanish), Jacob/Jakob (Danish, Icelandic, Polish), Yakov (Russian) and Iago (Portuguese).

For women, Jacqueline, Jacobina, Jamie and Jameson are all considered variants of James or Jacob.

James Name Popularity

How popular is the name James? Here’s everything we know.

Year	Rank	# Births	% Births
1910	2	9,192	2.6107%
1911	3	9,951	2.6723%
1912	3	17,644	3.4987%
1913	3	20,831	3.6741%
1914	3	26,263	3.7685%
1915	3	33,776	3.7176%
1916	3	35,569	3.6821%
1917	3	37,339	3.7323%
1918	3	42,119	3.9245%
1919	3	42,392	4.0484%
1920	4	47,909	4.3088%
1921	4	49,749	4.3446%
1922	4	49,803	4.4703%
1923	4	50,465	4.5056%
1924	4	52,944	4.5592%
1925	4	52,681	4.6609%
1926	3	53,205	4.8374%
1927	3	53,675	4.849%
1928	3	52,753	4.9303%
1929	2	52,122	5.032%
1930	2	53,944	5.1642%
1931	2	51,213	5.1889%
1932	2	51,920	5.2553%
1933	2	51,106	5.4855%
1934	2	54,243	5.6111%
1935	2	55,000	5.6597%
1936	2	54,684	5.6768%
1937	2	56,549	5.7387%
1938	2	59,096	5.7726%
1939	2	59,628	5.862%
1940	1	62,471	5.8774%
1941	1	66,731	5.929%
1942	1	77,173	6.1114%
1943	1	80,258	6.1477%
1944	1	76,947	6.2086%
1945	1	74,450	6.1046%
1946	1	87,431	5.9252%
1947	1	94,756	5.6766%
1948	1	88,588	5.5494%
1949	1	86,855	5.3993%
1950	1	86,239	5.3561%
1951	1	87,272	5.1473%
1952	1	87,107	4.9902%
1953	2	86,009	4.8598%
1954	3	86,288	4.7203%
1955	3	84,157	4.5753%
1956	2	84,837	4.4918%
1957	2	84,270	4.3793%
1958	3	78,709	4.1646%
1959	3	78,601	4.137%
1960	3	76,842	4.0556%
1961	4	75,917	4.0212%
1962	4	72,557	3.9522%
1963	4	71,327	3.9736%
1964	4	73,044	4.1497%
1965	4	67,703	4.1401%
1966	3	65,180	4.1747%
1967	3	61,699	4.0657%
1968	4	60,704	4.0427%
1969	3	59,912	3.8889%
1970	2	61,766	3.8812%
1971	2	54,622	3.635%
1972	3	47,083	3.4569%
1973	4	42,888	3.3082%
1974	5	41,353	3.1816%
1975	4	39,592	3.081%
1976	5	38,306	2.9721%
1977	5	40,054	2.9715%
1978	5	39,914	2.9688%
1979	5	39,370	2.7921%
1980	5	39,325	2.6896%
1981	7	38,307	2.606%
1982	6	38,872	2.6013%
1983	6	36,353	2.4635%
1984	7	35,846	2.4097%
1985	7	35,854	2.3622%
1986	7	34,034	2.2547%
1987	8	32,636	2.1386%
1988	9	32,503	2.0857%
1989	9	32,698	2.0263%
1990	8	32,347	1.9516%
1991	7	30,504	1.8715%
1992	9	28,503	1.7857%
1993	14	26,249	1.6837%
1994	14	24,768	1.6139%
1995	17	22,731	1.5082%
1996	17	21,155	1.4129%
1997	17	20,402	1.3794%
1998	18	19,686	1.3153%
1999	19	18,551	1.2388%
2000	18	17,981	1.1771%
2001	19	17,070	1.1329%
2002	18	16,957	1.1316%
2003	18	16,891	1.1103%
2004	17	16,460	1.0799%
2005	17	16,133	1.0552%
2006	16	16,235	1.0368%
2007	15	15,957	1.0114%
2008	17	15,171	0.9816%
2009	18	14,206	0.9505%
2010	19	13,877	0.963%
2011	17	13,247	0.9298%
2012	14	13,418	0.9416%
2013	13	13,552	0.9518%
2014	9	14,420	0.9897%
2015	7	14,799	1.0171%
2016	5	14,842	1.0294%
2017	4	14,232	1.0197%
2018	4	13,525	0.9844%
2019	6	13,087	0.9667%
2020	6	12,042	0.9461%
2021	5	12,367	1.0117%
2022	5	11,792	0.8938%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like James

If you like James, you’ll love these other names like James.

What names are diminutives of James?

A diminutive is a name that’s like James sounds, you might also like these names that sound like James, but shorter.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Jaime	A Spanish form of James and Jacob.	Spanish
Jamesie	He who supplants	Hebrew
Jamie	He who supplants	Hebrew
Jamsey	He who supplants	Hebrew
Jayme	He who supplants	Spanish
Jem	A variant diminutive form of James.	English
Jim	A diminutive form of James.	Hebrew
Jimmie	He who supplants	Hebrew
Jimmy	He who supplants	Hebrew

What names are variants of James?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name James.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Diego	Saint James	Spanish
Giacomo	An Italian form of Jacob and James.	Italian
Hamish	Supplanter	Scottish
Iago	A Spanish form of Jacob and James.	Welsh
Jacob	Supplanter	Hebrew

Jacques	A French form of James and Jacob.	French
Jago	A Spanish form of James and Jacob.	English
Jameson	Son of James	English
Jamison	He who supplants; son of James	Hebrew
Jascha	A Russian form of Jacob and James.	Slavic
Jaymes	He who supplants	Hebrew
Santiago	Saint James	Spanish
Seamus	Supplanter	Irish
Shamus	A variant form of James.	Irish

What names sound like James?

If you like how James sounds, you might also like these names that sound like James.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Aimes	Friend	French
Ames	Friend	French
Aymes	Friend	French
Eames	Wealthy protector	Irish
Jadan
Jaden	Thankful one	Hebrew

Jaiden	Thankful one	Hebrew
Jayden	Thankful one	Hebrew

What names are similar to James?

Find a name that’s like James, but just a little bit different.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Andrew	Manly and powerful	Greek
Christopher	Bearing Christ	English
Henry	Home ruler	English
Jack	God is gracious	English
John	God is gracious	Hebrew
Joshua	God is salvation	Hebrew
Liam	Helmet of will	Irish
Wesley	Western meadow	English
William	A willing protector	German
Wyatt	Brave in battle	English

Lists With James

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name James.

Siblings of James

Mamas with kids named James also have kids with these names.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Alice	Of nobility	German
Caroline	Free woman	French
Morgan	Circling sea	Welsh

David	Beloved	Hebrew
Virginia	Maiden	Latin
Luke	From Lucania	Greek
Lily	Lily flower	English
Amalia	Industrious, striving; work; rival; laborious; eager	Latin
Marcus	Dedicated to Mars	Latin
Joseph	Jehovah will increase	Hebrew
Faith	Devotion	English
Caesar	Head of hair	Latin
Carla	Free man	German
Elianna	God has answered	Hebrew
Evangeline	Good news	English

Share Your Thoughts

56 Comments

Tiago May 16 at 7:47 am

Actually, the Portuguese form of James is Tiago, with a T — not Iago (two easy sources: the Bible and Harry Potter’s father). Iago, if I am not mistaken, is either Russian, Moorish or Spanish. In Brazil, Tiago is often spelled Thiago. Saint James = San Tiago in Spanish, where they mend the two words to form one, whereas in Portuguese is S?o Tiago. Jaime is a popular translation to Portuguese regarding historical figures, like King James/Rei Jaime. Other Spanish derived names include Diego and Diogo.

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Jana Apr 20 at 2:17 pm

It’s a family name on both sides of the family.

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Rachel Jan 24 at 7:58 am

We liked the fact that James is a strong Christian name.

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Miche Dec 18 at 7:42 am

James is a family name on both sides. He is actually James the fifth, but we call him Cinqe [Sink].

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Hayley Nov 9 at 7:20 pm

Classic name and just suited him

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Viktoriya Jul 12 at 8:08 am

Husband’s choice. He likes the name

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Kathryn Jun 27 at 11:52 am

Our son is named after Saint James, brother of Jesus. We’re Orthodox Christians so we knew we wanted to name our baby a saint’s name. His middle name is Alexander – my husband’s middle name – and we loved how strong James Alexander felt as a full name. I don’t love the possibility of nicknames (Jim, Jimmy, etc.) but if he decides to go by a nickname that’ll be his choice. I’ll probably always be that annoying mama calling him by his name, James.

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Melissa Jun 25 at 8:20 pm

Before having kids my husband and I would say when we have James life will be different. We always referred to our first child as James. So, when we found out we were having a boy we naturally named him James

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Lauren Jun 6 at 8:24 am

Family name

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Lisette Feb 23 at 9:46 am

James is my husbands middle name! James also has my husbands first name as his middle name. Since he’s our first my husband wanted to name him after himself.
It wasn’t my first pick for a boys name, but my husband was the one who came up with the idea and I like him. And thankfully, the name has lots of nicknames you can use! (Jimmy, Jim, JJ, JB…)

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Taylor Feb 22 at 10:59 pm

A timeless, strong name.

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James Feb 15 at 4:50 am

named after dad

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Chris Dec 11 at 6:52 pm

Classic, strong name that my husband and I both liked

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Amanda Dec 4 at 10:21 am

James wasn’t on our list of pre-approved baby names, but none of those names matched our sweet, stoic baby when he arrived! His demeanor matched that of a noble judge or famous author. It took us four days to decide. Dad chose the middle name of ‘Brinley’ after his Grandfather. I wanted “cool” initials, but not many letters flow off the tongue with ‘B’ as a middle initial, except for ‘J’. I briefly went through some ‘J’ names that would go with ‘Brinley’ and said ‘James’ out loud. It stuck, the family liked it. James Brinley “JB” matches him well!

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Faith Nov 18 at 8:09 am

Family name, classic, & timeless.

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Jamie Jun 28 at 10:02 am

My fathers name and also a biblical boys name

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Dimity Apr 28 at 7:44 pm

James was a name my partner and I both agreed on.
His name suits his middle name and really goes with his overall name.
The name had to sound right and it did suit him and we both really liked it.

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Mikala Nov 9 at 8:35 am

It’s my fiance Father’s name and my favorite uncle’s name

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Hannah Oct 3 at 10:30 am

We named our son after my dad (and coincidentally, both of my grandpas). Since it is such a family name and both my husband and I are very close to my dad, it was a no-brainer. Don’t be afraid to use family names!

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Brianna Oct 2 at 3:04 pm

It’s one of our favorite books in the Bible! Every good and perfect gift comes from above, and Baby James is such a gift.

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- Dimity Apr 28 at 7:48 pm
  
  That’s beautiful
  
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Kimberly Sep 29 at 11:13 am

I always loved the name James. It sounds so sweet and mellow.

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- luke k May 13 at 11:14 am
  
  you are a bozo
  
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Ann Louise Sep 20 at 7:53 am

Dad and both grandfather’s name
Book of the Bible

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Adrianne Cooper Sep 3 at 10:47 am

I named him James because his father’s middle name is James

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Mikala Aug 24 at 9:47 am

It is his dad’s father’s name. And my uncle’s name..it’s a lil family tradition.

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James Jun 25 at 12:47 am

I was called Jimmy as a kid . . . then Jim as I got older . . . then, after Mom and Dad passed away, I have introduced myself as James in their honor. My brother is named John . . . and my sisters are Judy, Joan, and Justine. Mom wanted to name me Patrick because of being born on St. Patrick’s day . . . but Dad stepped in and fixed that. After all, why change a good thing going with all “J”s as the children’s first names. James is a one syllable name that’s easy to say and to remember, so I’ve got no complaints.

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Muircheartaigh May 27 at 2:14 pm

Wanted a simple name, my name is hard to say and I didn’t want that for him.

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Jennifer Apr 9 at 10:29 am

Named him after his father

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Stephanie Feb 28 at 9:48 am

My partner has a tradition in his family where the oldest boy has the initials JAE, so that was our base. We are both into history so we decided James after James I and Alexander as his middle name after Alexander the Great. I also happy to be a big Harry Potter fan and my first dog was named Lily so it was kinda fitting to have my first child be named James

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James Dec 28 at 9:11 am

The name James to me I think I like it and almost my family ? all male member are called james

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Rebecca Dec 17 at 10:08 am

James the disciples and saints. James for James Kirk, a huge trekkie

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James Charles Wardwell Oct 25 at 1:55 pm

James is the diminutive of Jacob hence the meaning “supplanter”. My dad did not want me to have to struggle through life with people calling me Charley and my mother wanted to name me after her little brother James Moses so my given names became James Charles with nicknames like Jimmy-Chuck and Jimbo and Jim. Of late I have had to get used to being called James which seems so formal and off-putting. I prefer to be called Jim.

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ivana Sep 6 at 7:41 pm

my husband named baby james after himself i love the name as well

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Jenn Aug 31 at 10:51 am

He is named for my brother and we both loved the name and how strong and Biblical it is

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Melissa Jul 22 at 9:14 am

Family name!

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Emalee Jun 27 at 10:09 am

Family name, it’s my ex husbands family name.

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Stephanie Kubin May 21 at 12:02 pm

My fianc? and I are both into history and so he’s named after James the first… his family also has a tradition of the oldest having the initials JAE so we were following that as well. (Also I am a Harry Potter fan and my first dog I got as an adult is named Lily and not my first child is James)

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Renae Apr 29 at 9:39 am

James is a family name, and it works well with our last name.

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Elise Apr 12 at 6:58 pm

Family name.

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Tammie Apr 5 at 10:56 am

I named him James because his fathers name is james and james is close to Jamie and his great grandfathers names is James as well. His full name is James Scott Hampton his middle name comes from his grandpa his great grandpa and grandpa have both past away. So his cute little name comes from 3 great men.

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Carmen Apr 4 at 2:50 pm

His name is actually Jaymee but they only say here its a girls name in which its unisex.
I chose his name because i loved the sound of it honestly there was no reason. He has my great uncles name but as his middle name which is Florentino. That was special to me. I love everything about his name as well. His nickname is James.
He is caring and lovable but with a feisty attitude.

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Danielle Mar 17 at 10:35 am

My husband and I both had/have grandpas named James and it is my favorite book of the Bible.

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Cassie English Mar 8 at 9:06 am

He is named after his grandpa on daddy’s side

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Cassie English Mar 6 at 9:11 am

James was named after his grandpa on his father’s side

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Amber Feb 2 at 1:35 am

James is the best son I could ever have or will have.

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Bethany Oct 27 at 1:22 pm

James is named after his dad.
It’s special because all the boys have James in their name somehow either first or middle.
Then I decided to go with Sebastian as a middle name just because it flows very well and it just happened to be the one I fell in love with ?

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Elizabeth Sep 7 at 9:38 am

It is my husbands grandfathers name, but he went by Jim. I was attached to having a J for my baby for some reason, and James is a strong male name. His middle name is Randall after my dad and my husbands Dad, and JR is a cute nn.

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Stephanie Aug 2 at 8:19 pm

We named him after his daddy

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KB Jul 7 at 10:43 pm

James is a strong biblical name that we choose after my husband lost his grandfather a few years ago.

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Becky Jun 24 at 4:08 pm

Family name

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Emily Apr 14 at 9:04 pm

We picked James because of the apostle James. He was a builder and a “do”-er in the early church, and we hope our son will be active and help out!

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Marissa Apr 13 at 1:10 pm

We love classic names and chose James because it is a family name.

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Gabrielle Apr 13 at 10:50 am

We picked James for our second boy as it is my husbands favorite book of the Bible. He was Jesus little brother, so we thought it fitting for the little brother of the family.

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Lara Apr 11 at 8:50 pm

Several men in family have this as their middle name and liked name

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Laura Apr 11 at 5:29 pm

James is a name I’ve always loved. It’s a classic, strong name that I think will suit him throughout his whole life.

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James